Part 14 (1/2)
”About three months, if you must know,” replied Martha, bristling a little at his inquisition.
”Have you seen him often?”
”To-day was the first time.”
”He has written to you?”
”Yes.”
”Sent you presents, I suppose?”
”A few pieces of jewelry. Every week he has sent me an envelope. Inside, with a blank piece of paper, was a hundred-dollar bill. I never knew until to-day who sent them.”
”What have you done with these things?”
”I handed them all back to him, in this room, half an hour ago. I told him I could accept nothing from him, but finally I agreed to go to dinner with him to-night. He's probably waiting out front now, in his car.”
Clayton rose to his feet nervously and paced the floor.
”What else did he say?” he inquired.
”He was very nice and respectful. He offered to speak to Mr. Weldon, the manager, and get me a new part--perhaps the leading part--in his new production.”
”So that's his little game, is it?” said Clayton, still more annoyed.
”Money and jewels returned, his next bribe is an engagement. How do you know you could play the part?”
”I might succeed,” pouted Martha. ”And even a star who tries and fails, can never forget that she did star--once.”
”And so your success means more to you than anything else that life can offer?”
Martha's eyes were still fired by the light of her ambition. ”Yes,” she said.
”If you please, Miss,” interrupted Lizzie, entering at that moment, ”Mr.
Gordon is outside in his car, and wants to know if you will be ready soon.”
”Tell him--” began Martha. Then she hesitated, looking doubtfully at Clayton, who came close to her as though awaiting her decision on a momentous matter.
”Martha,” he asked, ”are you still determined to keep this dinner engagement with Gordon?”
”Why not?” Martha seemed to take a keen delight in arousing his displeasure. ”There's no harm in it, and Mr. Gordon has been very kind to me.”
”As he has been to the others--before you,” said Clayton, bitterly, almost savagely.
”What do you mean?”
”Never mind. If I can't convince you without blackguarding him, I'll let you go. I only ask you to trust me, and believe that I am doing my best--for you.” Clayton paused doubtfully. ”If you hate to eat dinner alone,” he added suddenly, as an afterthought, ”so do I. Martha, come with me.”
”But I promised Mr. Gordon. He's waiting.”